02/15/2020
I walk at least 5 miles every day. My pace is slow. Covering that distance takes about 90 minutes. But just a one hour walk early in the morning is all it takes to hit the mark. The regular routine of my day does the rest. I habitually wake up and put on my shoes and head out early before I do anything else. An hour flies by and so does about 3 miles.
When I can, I'll head out to the woods and find a trail. Within an hour of my house I can see waterfalls or mountain peaks. When traveling, I can always find a new park or path that will keep me busy for at least an hour. I like to take pictures and pray and talk to friends. Walking accommodates all of that. And even if the scenery is lacking; walking around the block or down the road, deep in thought or conversation, is always better than just sitting still.
I was surprised to find out that walking opens up my heart to the 'fruits of the spirit' - love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self control. No matter how I'm feeling pre-walk, once I start moving a miracle happens. If I've been agitated, I calm down. If I've been anxious, peace takes over. A short temper turns into patience; discouraging thoughts of the past or bleak thoughts of the future are erased and a cheerful outlook soothes my soul.
I started this regimen thinking only about physical benefits. But I soon realized that I walk because it makes me happy. I don't have to motivate myself to walk any more than I have to motivate myself to eat or do anything that is enjoyable. I even look forward to the gray, cold, rainy days. There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. My favorite possessions are my boots and socks. My favorite place a path. My favorite pace a stroll.
I know I'm lucky to have good health. I walk unhindered. I've got a friend who is not so fortunate. He has neuropathy in both feet, and though we live 1000 miles apart, we seldom let a week go by without catching up on the phone. He watched - listened - to me walk and decided to try to walk with me, even though for him it's a tough balancing act. He ambled to his mailbox and back, then ventured down his sidewalk. First making it past one house, then two, within a month he was walking over 2 miles every day. Within a year he'd stretched that to over 6 miles. For over 2 years he's never missed a day of walking and some weeks averages over 10 miles a day. Feeling has returned all the way down to his toes and though he used to be on over a dozen prescribed medications including daily injections for diabetes, he now takes no medications at all. None.
One more thing about my friend. He's a professional speaker. He rolled up in a wheelchair in front of thousands of people. Pulling himself up to a podium, he began with, "I'm morbidly obese and clinically depressed. And I'm here to inspire you!" And then he did. A gifted entertainer, his words surpassed the optics every time.
We seldom mention the weight he's lost from walking. Happiness, better health and friendship far surpass body shaming. He's gone from an awkward stagger to a limp to a nearly fluid stride. He's learned to get the right shoes, find his pace and enjoy the moment. You'll often hear him say, "I was told time and again that I would live on medications the rest of my life. I was prescribed thousands of pills, but not one doctor ever thought to prescribe two million steps. That's what it took. Now I have a whole different life!"
On August 17th a few years ago I wasn't a walker. The next day I started walking and haven't stopped. How it happened is still a bit of a mystery to me. Excuses, habits, pain; obstacles abound. But walking for even a few minutes eliminates depression, wakes up dead parts of your body and launches you on a journey that extends your life and makes you happy.
My friend and I celebrate walking every year in Death Valley. We call it 'walking to death' and hope to see as much of the landscape as possible before we die. Here's to hoping you have a good friend and good boots and a good time out walking today. Cheers!
